Gregory Porter was born in Sacramento and was raised in Bakersfield, California, where his mother was a minister. A 1989 graduate of Highland High School, he received a "full-ride" (tuition, books, medical coverage, and living expenses) athletic scholarship as a football lineman to San Diego State University (SDSU Aztecs), but a shoulder injury during his junior year cut short his football career.[3] At the age of 21, Porter lost his mother to cancer, but only after she entreated him from her death bed: "Sing, baby, sing!"
Porter moved to the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn in 2004, along with his brother Lloyd. He worked as a chef at Lloyd's restaurant Bread-Stuy (now defunct), where he also performed. Porter performed at other neighborhood venues including Sista's Place and Solomon's Porch, and moved on to Harlem club St. Nick's Pub, where he maintained a weekly residency. Out of this residency evolved what would become Porter's touring band.[4]
Porter released two albums on the Motéma label together with Membran Entertainment Group, 2010's Water and 2012's Be Good, before signing with Blue Note Records (under Universal Music Group) on May 17, 2013. His third album, Liquid Spirit, was released on September 2, 2013, in Europe and on September 17, 2013, in the US.[5] The album was produced by Brian Bacchus.[6] The album won the 2014 Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal Album.[7]
Liquid Spirit enjoyed commercial success rarely achieved by albums in the jazz genre, reaching the top 10 on the UK album charts. It was certified gold by the BPI, selling over 100,000 units in the UK.[8]
In August 2014 Porter released "The 'In' Crowd" as a single.[9] On May 9, 2015 Porter participated in VE Day 70: A Party to Remember, a televised commemorative concert from Horse Guards Parade in London, singing "As Time Goes By".[10]
His fourth album, Take Me to the Alley, was released on May 6, 2016.[11] In UK's The Guardian it was Alexis Petridis's album of the week.[12]
On June 26, 2016, Porter performed on the Pyramid Stage at the Glastonbury Festival 2016. Writing for The Daily Telegraph, Neil McCormick said, "The portly middle-aged jazzer may be the oddest pop star on the planet but he is a refreshing testament to the notion that the most important organ for musical appreciation should always be our ears. And Porter has one of the most easy-on-the-ear voices in popular music, a creamy baritone that flows thick and smooth across a rich gateaux of juicy melody. It's a voice that makes you want to lick your lips and dive right in."[13]
In September 2016 Porter performed at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park from Hyde Park, London. He would go on to perform in the annual BBC Children in Need show in November, a night dedicated to Sir Terry Wogan, who hosted it in previous years and was a fan of Porter.[14]
In January 2017 Porter performed the song "Holding On" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show.[15] In September 2017 he performed as part of the Later... with Jools Holland: Later 25 concert at the Royal Albert Hall.[16]
In October 2017 he performed the song "Mona Lisa" on BBC One's The Graham Norton Show with Jeff Goldblum on piano.[17]
FRENCH AFRICAN QUEEN
Gregory Porter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Near the (inaudible) Zanzibar
Said the woman at the front door
"Do you know the place you are?
This place is from the fancy
I don't think you fit the scene
You're just an American Black boy
I'm a French African Queen"
And she was tall and statuesque
She looked straight over my puzzled head
She said "Don't make me get real ugly
You heard just what I said"
"I've got music for the people
I must fulfill my precious dream
To bring blues from America
To the French African queen"
"Ah, oui oui!"
I was walking round in Paris
Near the (inaudible) Zanzibar
Said the woman at the front door
"Do you know the place you are?
This place is from the fancy
I don't think you fit the scene
You're just an American Black boy
I'm a French African Queen"
And she was tall and statuesque
She looked straight over my puzzled head
She said "Don't make me get real ugly
You heard just what I said"
"I've got music for the people
I must fulfill my precious dream
I bring blues from America
To the French African queen"
"Hear my words were not so different
Land and language in the way
We feel the same human feelings
With different words we say
We are fruit from the same tree
I think you know just what I mean"
"I am your American Black boy
You're my French African queen"
In Gregory Porter's song "French African Queen," he recounts the story of a chance encounter with a tall, statuesque woman at a club in Paris near the Zanzibar building. The woman challenges Porter's presence in the club, as he does not fit the fancy scene of the establishment. However, the woman proclaims herself a French African Queen and asserts her right to be there. She goes on to express her dream of bringing blues music from America to her people.
Porter's encounter with the French African Queen has a significant impact on him, as he recognizes the similarities between them despite their different backgrounds and languages. He acknowledges that they share the same human feelings and are fruit from the same tree. In the end, Porter and the woman realize that they are connected despite their surface-level differences.
Line by Line Meaning
I was walking round in Paris
The singer was walking around in the city of Paris.
Near the (inaudible) Zanzibar
The singer was near a place called Zanzibar, but the name was difficult to hear.
Said the woman at the front door
A woman at the front door spoke to the singer.
"Do you know the place you are?
The woman asked the artist if they knew where they were.
This place is from the fancy
The woman said that the place was upscale and exclusive.
I don't think you fit the scene
The woman did not believe the singer belonged there.
You're just an American Black boy
The woman identified the singer as a Black person from America.
I'm a French African Queen"
The woman saw herself as a regal figure and identified as both French and African.
And she was tall and statuesque
The woman was tall and had a commanding presence.
She looked straight over my puzzled head
The woman made eye contact with the artist and seemed to see through their confusion.
She said "Don't make me get real ugly
The woman warned the singer not to provoke her.
You heard just what I said"
The woman emphasized that the artist had heard her words clearly.
"I've got music for the people
The woman proclaimed that she had music that would resonate with many.
I must fulfill my precious dream
The woman was determined to achieve a goal that was important to her.
To bring blues from America
The woman wanted to introduce blues music from America to others.
To the French African queen"
The woman saw herself as a leader of her community and hoped to share her vision with them.
"Ah, oui oui!"
The woman expressed enthusiasm with a French phrase.
Hear my words were not so different
The singer realized that despite their different backgrounds, the woman and they shared common ground.
Land and language in the way
The singer recognized that geographical and linguistic barriers can obscure our shared humanity.
We feel the same human feelings
The artist knew that despite their differences, the woman and they experienced the same emotions.
With different words we say
The artist acknowledged that language can vary, but the underlying feelings are similar.
We are fruit from the same tree
The artist saw themselves and the woman as related to each other despite their apparent differences.
I think you know just what I mean"
The singer believed that the woman understood their perspective.
"I am your American Black boy
The artist asserted their identity as a Black person from America.
You're my French African queen"
The singer saw the woman as a leader to whom they could relate and admire.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GREGORY PORTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind